Growth factor

Biological molecules, such as proteins or hormones, that regulate the growth and division of cells in an organism. Due to their important role in many cellular processes, growth factors have applications across many industries. For example, growth factors are typically used in growth media, to give nutrients to cells growing in a laboratory setting. In the cultivated meat industry, cheap and animal-free production of growth factors is a major unsolved challenge. Growth factors can also be used in regenerative medicine for tissue repair as they can stimulate various growth and repair pathways. There are currently many approved growth factor based medicines, in the form of creams, that can be used to enhance wound healing.